The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has announced that it has passed the $1 billion mark in research investment, a significant milestone in the cancer research landscape as the Society continues its 65-year pursuit of advancing breakthrough therapies, finding cures, and ensuring access to life-saving therapies for all blood cancer patients.

This announcement came during a recent conference the Society held in Washington, DC, featuring a research symposium, “Bridging the Gap from Bench to Bedside: The Road to Cures” and a panel discussion titled, “What is a Cure?”

Greater Efforts Still Needed

“For 65 years, LLS has been leading the way, moving us closer to a world without blood cancers,” said Louis J. DeGennaro, PhD, Interim President as well as CEO and Chief Mission Officer, LLS. “While the $1 billion research investment is helping to save lives today and extending survival rates for many patients, there are still few, if any, means for preventing or early screening for most blood cancers. More than one-third of blood cancer patients do not survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. We can do better, and we must do better to save more lives.”

The panel discussion on defining a cure features the experiences of patients, families, clinicians, and an FDA official. It also features insights from renowned blood cancer researchers who are advancing promising new therapies and identifying changes in the development and regulatory processes that are needed to help bring live-saving treatment options to patients faster.

Access to New Therapies

Access to new treatments is also a focus of the LLS conference. More than 500 LLS advocates met with legislators urging them to support legislation that improves access to innovative blood cancer therapies and limits the use of “specialty tier” drug designations, thereby increasing affordability for patients. ■